Last summer, a fatal explosion at a Hofseth Aqua fish farming facility in Liabygda, Stranda, led to the death of a 25-year-old worker.
The Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority has determined that Hofseth Aqua violated multiple labor laws, resulting in several mandates for the company.
The incident occurred on June 23, 2023, when a tank exploded, killing the young worker. The Labour Inspection Authority’s investigation revealed that the company failed to provide adequate training and risk assessments related to ensilage—a process involving the enzymatic breakdown of animal and plant material, often using acid for preservation.
Hofseth Aqua was given until December 31, 2023, to address the identified violations.
In an exchange with broadcaster NRK, Hofseth Aqua COO, Knut Eilert Røsvik, acknowledged the shortcomings.
“In relation to breaches, there are things we should have avoided. It concerns conditions that we have had no knowledge of, or attention to, he said.
“It is important to take into account that this happened on completely new equipment. It was a new feed fleet. We have used experienced system suppliers for this. We see in retrospect that we have trusted too much that they have delivered and constructed safe systems, and then we see that unfortunately that is not fully the case.
The company is working closely with the Labour Inspection Authority to rectify these issues and improve safety standards.
The State Attorney decided on 6 July 2024 to impose a corporate penalty of NOK 4 million ($364,734) on the company Hofseth Aqua AS. In addition, compensation claims of NOK 82,736 ($7,500) and restitution compensation of a total of NOK 372,084 ($34,000) will be made to the bereaved, says police attorney and prosecuting officer, Anne Lisbeth Hjelle, in an email to intrafish.no.
The police investigation into the accident is ongoing.
